A Systematic Review of the Effects of Neuromodulation on Eating and Body Weight: Evidence from Human and Animal Studies

TY - JOUR

T1 - A Systematic Review of the Effects of Neuromodulation on Eating and Body Weight: Evidence from Human and Animal Studies

AU - McClelland, Jessica

AU - Bozhilova, Natali

AU - Campbell, Iain

AU - Schmidt, Ulrike

PY - 2013/11

Y1 - 2013/11

N2 - BackgroundEating disorders (ED) are chronic and sometimes deadly illnesses. Existing treatments have limited proven efficacy, especially in the case of adults with anorexia nervosa (AN). Emerging neural models of ED provide a rationale for more targeted, brain-directed interventions. AimsThis systematic review has examined the effects of neuromodulation techniques on eating behaviours and body weight and assessed their potential for therapeutic use in ED. MethodAll articles in PubMed, PsychInfo and Web of Knowledge were considered and screened against a priori inclusion/exclusion criteria. The effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), transcranial direct current stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) were examined across studies in ED samples, other psychiatric and neurological disorders, and animal models. ResultsSixty studies were identified. There is evidence for ED symptom reduction following rTMS and DBS in both AN and bulimia nervosa. Findings from studies of other psychiatric and neurological disorders and from animal studies demonstrate that increases in food intake and body weight can be achieved following DBS and that VNS has potential value as a means of controlling eating and inducing weight loss. ConclusionsNeuromodulation tools have potential for reducing ED symptomatology and related behaviours, and for altering food intake and body weight. In response to such findings, and emerging neural models of ED, treatment approaches are highly unlikely to remain brainless'. More research is required to evaluate the potential of neuromodulation procedures for improving long-term outcomes in ED.

AB - BackgroundEating disorders (ED) are chronic and sometimes deadly illnesses. Existing treatments have limited proven efficacy, especially in the case of adults with anorexia nervosa (AN). Emerging neural models of ED provide a rationale for more targeted, brain-directed interventions. AimsThis systematic review has examined the effects of neuromodulation techniques on eating behaviours and body weight and assessed their potential for therapeutic use in ED. MethodAll articles in PubMed, PsychInfo and Web of Knowledge were considered and screened against a priori inclusion/exclusion criteria. The effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), transcranial direct current stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) were examined across studies in ED samples, other psychiatric and neurological disorders, and animal models. ResultsSixty studies were identified. There is evidence for ED symptom reduction following rTMS and DBS in both AN and bulimia nervosa. Findings from studies of other psychiatric and neurological disorders and from animal studies demonstrate that increases in food intake and body weight can be achieved following DBS and that VNS has potential value as a means of controlling eating and inducing weight loss. ConclusionsNeuromodulation tools have potential for reducing ED symptomatology and related behaviours, and for altering food intake and body weight. In response to such findings, and emerging neural models of ED, treatment approaches are highly unlikely to remain brainless'. More research is required to evaluate the potential of neuromodulation procedures for improving long-term outcomes in ED.

KW - eating disorders (ED)

KW - anorexia nervosa (AN)

KW - bulimia nervosa (BN)

KW - transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

KW - transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)

KW - vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)

KW - deep brain stimulation (DBS)

KW - TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION

KW - DEEP BRAIN-STIMULATION

KW - VAGUS NERVE-STIMULATION

KW - OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

KW - RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIAL

KW - VENTROMEDIAL HYPOTHALAMIC-STIMULATION

KW - TREATMENT-RESISTANT DEPRESSION

KW - PARKINSONS-DISEASE PATIENTS

KW - SELF-REGULATORY CONTROL

KW - SHAM-CONTROLLED TRIAL

KW - Acknowledged-BRC

KW - Acknowledged-BRC-13/14

U2 - 10.1002/erv.2256

DO - 10.1002/erv.2256

M3 - Literature review

SN - 1072-4133

VL - 21

SP - 436

EP - 455

JO - European Eating Disorders Review

JF - European Eating Disorders Review

IS - 6

M1 - N/A

ER -